Steel making process

Steel is made from iron ore or scrap. Iron ore is a mineral aggregate that can be economically transformed into iron. The quality of iron ore is mainly determined by its composition; high iron content and low sulphur and phosphorus content are favourable. Iron ore is found all over the world, but its iron content varies.

Steel scrap has been selectively collected and recycled as a valuable raw material for steel production for several decades.

The production of steel involves the following stages: production of pig iron; production of molten steel; hot and cold rolling; application of a metallic and/or organic coating.

There are two main processes for producing steel: using a blast furnace (= indirect reduction) in combination with a converter, or using an electric arc furnace. In the first process, iron ore is the main raw material. An electric arc furnace uses scrap iron and occasionally sponge iron. Sponge iron is an intermediate product made from iron ore by direct reduction (DRI), which is then further reduced and melted in an electric furnace.